Sheriff's Deputy shoots unarmed Iraq War Vet Options

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Calif. officer in taped shooting to face charge

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A California sheriff's deputy, whose videotaped shooting of an unarmed Iraq war veteran caused a nationwide furor, will be charged with attempted manslaughter, authorities said on Tuesday.

Ivory John Webb was taped in January shooting Elio Carrion after a car chase in Chino, in San Bernardino County, about 45 miles east of Los Angeles.

The car crashed and Carrion, who was a passenger, is seen apparently obeying the officer's commands to get up from the ground when Webb shoots him three times.

Filmed by a bystander, the grainy amateur tape was passed to local television channels and the story -- with its echoes of the videotaped beating of Rodney King by police officers that led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots -- became national news.

Webb, 45, has been on administrative leave since the incident and could face 18 years in prison if convicted.

Carrion, 21, an Air Force security officer who had recently returned from Iraq, is recovering from wounds to the chest, shoulder and thigh.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos said the videotape was crucial in the decision to charge Webb.

The deputy will not be charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors concluded that Webb acted in fear for his safety but that his fear was unreasonable, Ramos said.

The FBI has opened its own inquiry into possible civil rights violations.

The driver of the car, Luis Escobedo, faces charges of evading an officer and drunken driving. He and Webb were to be arraigned on Wednesday.